Information portal

ABSTRACT

A communication system for providing high-speed wireless access to mobile processing systems a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. A local server in communication with this stationary transceiver is configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within the information portal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/791,194 filed Jun. 1, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,732; which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/843,536 filed Apr. 25,2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,691; which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/199,528 filed Apr. 25, 2000, all of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to communication systems, and in particular, towireless communication systems.

BACKGROUND

Mobile processing-systems, such as portable computers and personaldigital assistants, are often provided with the ability to establishwireless connections with other processing systems. Such wirelessconnections enable a user to access interne sites while traveling. Auser thus equipped is able to obtain real-time information from aninternet site and to act immediately on the basis of that information.For example, a user on the way to the airport may use a mobileprocessing-system to discover that a flight has been cancelled and thatit may be preferable to simply turn around and go home.

As a practical matter, however, it is difficult for a user of a mobileprocessing-system to conveniently acquire timely information whiletraveling. The process of identifying and accessing a web site can becumbersome and difficult to attend to while coping with the exigenciesof travel. In addition, the speed of wireless data transmission isitself limited by numerous physical constraints. For example, high-speeddata transmission requires high bandwidth. Such bandwidth may not beavailable simply because a finite spectrum must be shared by manychannels. Inadequate signal-to-noise ratio, resulting from noise ormulti-path reflections, can result in high error rates, which in turnrequire frequent retransmission of data packets.

SUMMARY

A system according to the invention provides high-speed wirelesscommunication to a mobile processing system. The system maintains one ormore information portals that provide high-speed wireless access to alocal area network. Because of the limited spatial extent of aninformation portal, a low-power but high-bandwidth channel can bemaintained within the information portal. Within the limited spatialextent of the information portal, wireless data communication isestablished at rates much higher than those available in those wirelessdata communication systems that provide wireless data communication overpublic airwaves.

A communication system incorporating the invention includes a stationarytransceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. Alocal server in communication with this stationary transceiver isconfigured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within theinformation portal.

Typically, the local server is configured to perform a function on thebasis of the identity of the mobile processing-system. This functionmight be to provide selected data to the mobile processing-system, toprovide interactive access to a computer network, or to perform variousfunctions associated with the operation of a building that houses thestationary transceiver. Examples of such functions include permittingbuilding access to a portion of the building, or controlling an elevatorin the building.

In one aspect of the invention, the local server is configured toestablish a communication link between the mobile processing-system inthe information portal and a selected location. The communication linkcan be an audio link, a video link, or a two-way communication link.

Various types of transceivers can be used as stationary transceivers.For example, the stationary transceiver can be a radio transceiver, anoptical transceiver, an infrared transceiver, and an acoustictransceiver.

Information is communicated to the mobile processing system when themobile processing system is within an information portal. Consequently,the stationary transceiver, and hence the information portal that itmaintains, is deployed at locations in which commuters or travelers areexpected to linger momentarily. Such locations include elevators,elevator lobbies, waiting areas at transportation nodes, for exampletrain platforms at train stations, airplane gate areas at airports, andeven the transportation vehicles themselves.

In another embodiment, the communication system also includes afulfillment server in communication with the local server. Thefulfillment server has access to a wide area network. The wide areanetwork can be a global computer network, such as the internet.

The fulfillment server can include a user-interface to enable a user tospecify certain actions. Examples of such actions include makingselected information available for transmission to a mobile processingsystem at an information portal, or requesting that the fulfillmentserver send, to the mobile processing system, a message indicating theoccurrence of a selected event.

In one aspect of the invention, the fulfillment server is configured toprovide interactive services to the mobile processing system while themobile processing system is in an information portal. Examples of suchinteractive services include email or internet access.

To enhance performance, it is useful to provide a cache at the localserver. Such a cache is used to accumulate information intended to betransmitted to a mobile processing system. This information remains incache until the mobile processing system enters an information portal.Once the mobile processing system for which the accumulated informationis intended enters an information portal, the information in cache isrelayed to the mobile processing system.

In another embodiment, the communication system includes a plurality ofstationary transceivers, each configured for wireless communication witha mobile processing system present in a corresponding informationportal; and a server system in communication with each of the stationaryreceivers. The server system has a link to a global computer network.This enables the server system to provide the mobile processing systemwith wireless access to the global computer network.

The invention also includes a method for providing a mobile processingsystem with wireless access to a global computer network. The methodincludes maintaining an information portal and establishing wirelesscommunication between the mobile processing system and a server systemfollowing entry of the mobile processing system into the informationportal. Once communication has thus been established, a link between theserver system and the global computer network is provided.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and systemssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andsystems are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the presentspecification, including definitions, will control. In addition, thesystems, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended tobe limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from theclaims and from the following detailed description and its accompanyingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a communication system incorporating the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an application of the communication system of FIG. 1;and

FIGS. 3 and 4 show additional communication systems incorporating theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 10 incorporating theinvention includes a local server 12 in data communication with one ormore stationary transceivers 14 a-n across a private network. Eachstationary transceiver 14 a-n maintains a corresponding informationportal 16 a-n extending around a vicinity thereof. When a personcarrying a mobile processing-system 18, for example a portable computeror a portable digital-assistant, enters one of these information portals16 a, the stationary transceiver 14 a maintaining that informationportal 16 a establishes wireless communication between the local server12 and the mobile processing-system 18.

The mobile processing-system 18 and the stationary transceiver 14 a canestablish wireless communication by transmitting and receivingelectromagnetic waves or acoustic waves modulated by data. In the caseof electromagnetic waves, the waves can be radio-frequency waves,infrared waves, optical waves, or electromagnetic waves having any otherfrequency suitable for short-range data-communication. Acoustic wavesare typically ultrasonic or mega sonic waves.

In the case of radio-frequency waves, the establishment of thecommunication link can be completely passive, with no action required ofthe person other than entry into the information portal 16 a. In thecase of infrared or optical waves, or other waves having wavelengthsmuch shorter than nearby scattering structures, the person establishescommunication by pointing a port on the mobile processing-system 18toward the stationary transceiver 14 a.

The stationary transceivers 14 a-n can be deployed within a building inconjunction with elevator displays and lobby displays as described inpending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/123,284 and 09/465,504, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference. This deployment isadvantageous because the display can then be used to communicateinformation to the person carrying the mobile processing-system 18. Inaddition, the display is already in data communication with the localserver 12 and can therefore be easily modified to accommodate thestationary transceiver 14 a. However, stand-alone stationarytransceivers 14 a-n can also be deployed at various locations withoutthe presence of a nearby display.

Stationary transceivers 14 a-n are typically deployed at locations inwhich commuters and other travelers are likely to linger in the courseof their travel. This ensures that the person is in an information dataportal 16 a-n long enough for meaningful data transmission to occur.

The local server 12 is also connected to one or more peripheral devices20. Such peripheral devices can include elevator control system 22,building security systems 24, building communication systems 26,building environmental-control-systems 28, and other systems that governadditional aspects of building functionality. These connections enablethe local server 12 to control building functions in response to theidentity and movement of a person carrying a mobile processing-system.

A local area network 30 links the local server 12, the peripheraldevices, and the stationary transceivers 14 a-n. These links can bewired links, wireless links, or a mixture of both wired and wirelesslinks.

In operation, a person carrying a mobile processing-system 18 enters oneof the information portals 16 a-n. The mobile processing-system 18 andthe stationary transceiver 14 a then establish communication, therebyproviding a data path between the local server 12 and the mobileprocessing-system 18. This enables the local server 12 to identify themobile processing-system 18. The local server 12 can then interact withthe peripheral devices in a manner consistent with the identity of themobile processing-system 18.

To illustrate examples of some of the various types of interaction thatare possible, it is instructive to follow the activities of a typicalbuilding tenant upon arrival at the building. FIG. 2 illustrates theprogress of a tenant who, at time t₁, enters a parking lot 32 adjacentto a building 34.

Throughout this detailed description, reference is occasionally made toa tenant or user as having been detected and identified while within aninformation portal 16 a-n. It is understood, however, that it is themobile processing-system 18, and not the tenant or user, that is in factbeing detected and identified.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a first stationary transceiver 36 a maintains afirst information portal 38 a at the entrance to the parking lot 32. Asthe tenant drives through this first information portal 38 a, the localserver 12 identifies the mobile processing-system 18 and notes atime-of-entry to be used later for calculating an appropriate parkingfee.

After a few minutes, the tenant parks and begins to walk toward a nearbyelevator lobby 40. At time t₂, as the tenant approaches the elevatorlobby 40, he enters a second information portal 38 b maintained by asecond stationary transceiver 36 b. When the tenant enters this secondinformation portal 38 b, the second stationary transceiver 36 bestablishes communication between the local server 12 and the tenant'smobile processing-system 18. The local server 12 records the floor onwhich the tenant has parked. This data is later retrieved and used toprogram the elevator when the tenant re-enters an elevator at the end ofthe day. The local server 12 then interacts with the elevator controlsystem 22 to call an elevator 42. By the time the tenant reaches theelevator lobby 40, the elevator 42 is already well on its way to meetinghim.

The local server 12 also determines the floor that the tenant works onand, in a further interaction with the elevator control system 22,instructs the elevator 42 to proceed to that floor once the tenantenters a third information portal 38 c maintained by a thirdstationary-transceiver 36 c within the elevator 42. The local server 12then interacts with the building environmental-control-systems 28 toturn on heat or air-conditioning at locations selected on the basis ofthe tenant's identity.

When the elevator 42 arrives to pick up the tenant at the designatedfloor of the parking garage, the local server 12 starts a timer. If thetenant fails to enter the third information portal 38 c (located in theelevator 42) within a selected time, the local server 12 sends a messageto building security personnel alerting them to the possibility of amishap.

At time t₃, the tenant enters the third information portal 38 c byboarding the elevator 42. The third stationary-transceiver 36 c in theelevator 42 detects the tenants entry into the third information portal38 c. Without further intervention from the tenant, the elevator 42 thencarries the tenant to the floor selected by the local server 12.

After a few moments, the elevator reaches the selected floor 42,whereupon the tenant exits the elevator 42. At time t₄, the tenantenters a fourth information portal 38 d maintained by a fourthstationary transceiver 38 d. The local server 12 detects the tenant'sentry into the fourth information portal 38 d and sends an appropriatemessage to the building security system 24. In response, the buildingsecurity system 24 unlocks an appropriate door 44 for the tenant.

In the unlikely event that the elevator 42 becomes stuck between floors,the elevator control system 22 detects the existence of this conditionand signals the local server 12. The local server 12 then checks to seeif there are any occupants within the information portal maintained inthe elevator 42. If there are such occupants, the local server 12 usesthe information portal maintained in the elevator 42 to provide areal-time communication link between the occupants and building securitypersonnel. The communication link can be a streaming video or audiolink. Preferably, the communication link thus established is a two-wayvideo link.

The communication system 10 can also be used to broadcast announcementsand other data directly to the mobile processing-system 18. In such acase, a tenant enters any one of several information portals scatteredthroughout the building 34 while carrying a mobile processing-system 18.Upon entry into any such information portal, the local server transmitsappropriate data to the mobile processing-system 18.

Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, also includes a fulfillment server46 that interfaces the local server 12 with selected content providers50 a-c across a global computer network 52. The fulfillment server 46communicates with the local server 12 over a private network 48 or avirtual private network. Data transport over the private network 48 canbe carried out using a frame relay or xDSL service.

The addition of the fulfillment server 46 to the communication systempermits the local server to relay information gathered by thefulfillment server 46 to a user whenever that user enters one of manyinformation portals dispersed throughout a building 34. A user-interface54 associated with the fulfillment server 46 enables a user to requestdelivery of selected information from the content providers to theuser's mobile processing-system 18.

To illustrate the types of services that can be provided, it is usefulto consider a user who wants to obtain a traffic report at the end ofevery working day. The activities of such a user are illustrated in FIG.3.

At time t₁ the user accesses the user-interface 54 of the fulfillmentserver 46 using a web-browser 56 executing on the user's computer system58. Through this user-interface 54, the user instructs the fulfillmentserver 46 to routinely make a traffic report available everyday.

At an appropriate time, and without further intervention by the user,the fulfillment server 46 retrieves traffic information from a contentprovider 50 a. The fulfillment server 46 then identifies the localserver 12 associated with that particular user. After doing so, thefulfillment server 46 sends the requested information to that localserver 12. The local server 12 then stores that information in a cache60 for delivery to the user's mobile processing-system 18 upon entry ofthat system into an information portal 16 a-n.

At time t₂, while the user is in the elevator 42, the user enters orpasses through an information portal while carrying the mobileprocessing-system 18. The stationary transceiver 14 a maintaining thatinformation portal sends a message to the local server 12 indicating thepresence of the user's mobile processing-system 18. In response, thelocal server 12 retrieves the requested information from cache and sendsit to the stationary transceiver 14 a. The stationary transceiver 14 athen transmits that data directly to the mobile processing-system 18. Inthis way, by the time the user leaves the information portal 16 a, themobile processing-system 18 will have collected the desired data.

The foregoing example illustrates the manner in which the communicationsystem 10 provides programmed services. Such programmed services arecharacterized by a request that particular content be made available fordelivery during a particular time interval. However, the communicationsystem 10 can also provide real-time services. Real-time services arecharacterized by the delivery of a message indicating that a particularevent has occurred.

To illustrate the use of the communication system 10 in providingreal-time service, consider a user who wants to be alerted when, forexample, a price of a particular stock has risen above a pre-determinedlevel. The user would then access the user-interface 54 of thefulfillment server 46 using a web-browser 56 executing on the user'scomputer system 58. Upon doing so, the user could then request that theshare price of a stock be monitored and that a message be sent if theshare price reaches or exceeds the pre-determined level.

In response to the user's instruction, the fulfillment server 46periodically accesses one or more of the selected content providers 50a-50 c throughout the day to monitor the price of the stock. If theprice exceeds the pre-determined threshold, the monitor sends a messageto the local server 12 associated with the user. The local server 12then caches this message for subsequent delivery to the user wheneverthe user enters an information portal 16 a-n while carrying a mobileprocessing-system 18.

When the user carries the mobile processing-system 18 into aninformation portal 16 a, the local server 12 detects the presence of themobile processing-system 18, retrieves the message from cache, if any,and transmits it to the mobile processing-system 18.

A communication system 10 as described herein can also provideinteractive services to a user. For example, the local server 12 canprovide information such as locations of nearby restaurants, automatedteller machines, train stations, and other services. Such a service isuseful for travelers who are unfamiliar with the immediate neighborhood.In this case, the user need not interact with a fulfillment server 46beforehand. Such information can be available upon request whenever auser carrying a mobile processing-system 18 enters an information portal16 a.

Although the foregoing description teaches a communication system 10installed in a building, such as an office building or a hotel, similarcommunication systems can be installed virtually anywhere that a personcarrying a mobile processing-system 18 can be expected to lingermomentarily. For example, communication systems of the type describedherein can also be installed at such diverse locations as airports,train stations, train cars, and cruise ships.

A user of the communication system 10 need not be confined to aparticular local server 12. For example, a communication system 10 canbe installed to encompass a set of train stations, each of which has itsown local server 12, as shown in FIG. 4.

In this application, each train station (of which only two are shown inthe figure) includes a local server 12 a-b having a local cache 60 a-b.The first local server 12 a provides a link between four stationarytransceivers 14 a-d at a first train station and a fulfillment server46. The second local server 12 b provides a link between four additionalstationary transceivers 14 e-h at a second train station and thefulfillment server 46. The fulfillment server 52 provides a link to aplurality of content providers 50 a-c across a global computer network52. It is understood that the number of stationary transceivers in eachtrain station and the number of train stations can be varied withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

When a local server 12 a detects the user at the train station orentering the train, a link is established in the manner alreadydescribed in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3. would be delivered asalready described above. For interactive services, such as email, or forextended services, such as music, the local server 12 would accept therequest, cache it, and wait for the next train station to complete therequest. The user would then be notified when the information becomesavailable.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoingdescription is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Otheraspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. An apparatus for relaying information to a mobile processing system,said apparatus comprising: a plurality of transceivers, each of whichestablishes wireless communication within a vicinity thereof, and afulfillment system in communication with each of said transceivers, saidfulfillment system being configured to respond to establishment ofcommunication between a mobile processing-system and one of saidtransceivers, and to provide, to said mobile processing system,information requested for said mobile processing system to establishcommunication with a content provider selected from a plurality ofcontent providers, to retrieve, from said content provider selected fromsaid plurality of content providers, said requested information, and toprovide said requested information to said mobile processing systemfollowing establishment of communication between said mobile processingsystem and said one of said transceivers from said plurality oftransceivers with which said fulfillment system is in communication. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said requested information for saidmobile processing system comprises information requested for said mobileprocessing system prior to establishment of a communication link betweensaid mobile processing system and said one of said transceivers withwhich said fulfillment system is in communication.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said stationary transceiver is disposed in a vehicle.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fulfillment system comprises alocal server in communication with said transceivers, and a fulfillmentserver in communication with said transceivers and with a wide areanetwork.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transceivers arespread across a private network.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereineach of said transceivers is configured to communicate with a portablecomputer.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said transceiversis configured to communicate with a portable digital assistant.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said requested information comprisesinformation indicating an occurrence of an event.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said information indicating occurrence of an eventcomprises information indicating that a stock price has reached aparticular value.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said requestedinformation comprises a traffic report.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said requested information comprises email.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said requested information comprises music.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said requested information comprisesinformation about local services.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid information about local services comprises information about ATMs.15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information about localservices comprises information about train stations.
 16. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said information about local services comprisesinformation about restaurants.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid fulfillment system is configured to identify a mobileprocessing-system present within a vicinity of a transceiver.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein said fulfillment system is configured toperform a function selected on the basis of the identity of said mobileprocessing-system.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidfulfillment system is configured to establish a communication linkbetween said mobile processing-system and a selected location.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said fulfillment system and saidtransceiver are in communication across a local area network.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said fulfillment system and saidtransceiver are in wireless communication across a local area network.22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fulfillment system has accessto a wide area network.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidfulfillment system comprises a cache for temporary accumulation ofinformation to be relayed to said mobile processing system.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said fulfillment system is configured toprovide a user-interface for enabling a user to cause said fulfillmentsystem to collect selected information, and to provide said selectedinformation to a mobile processing system associated with said user whensaid mobile processing system comes within range of one of saidtransceivers.
 25. A method for relaying information to a mobileprocessing system, said method comprising: providing a plurality oftransceivers, each of which is configured to communicate with a mobileprocessing system within a vicinity thereof; establishing communicationbetween a fulfillment system and each of said transceivers; receiving arequest to provide requested information to a first mobile processingsystem in communication with one of said transceivers; retrieving saidrequested information; storing said requested information; detectingentry of a mobile processing system into a vicinity of one of saidtransceivers; determining that said mobile processing system that hasentered said first information portal is said first mobile processingsystem; retrieving said stored requested information; and providing saidstored requested information to said first mobile processing systemwhile said first mobile processing system is within a vicinity of atransceiver.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein retrieving saidrequested information comprises: establishing connection with a networkto which a plurality of content providers have established connections;and retrieving, from one of said content providers, said requestedinformation.
 27. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of transceivers,each configured for wireless communication with a mobile processingsystem present in a vicinity thereof; and a fulfillment system incommunication with each of said transceivers, said fulfillment systemhaving a link to a global computer network and thereby providing saidmobile processing system with wireless access to said global computernetwork while said mobile processing system is within a vicinity of oneof said transceivers.